Image processing apparatus for viewing progress status of image output processing

ABSTRACT

An image processing apparatus includes: a display and a display controller that controls the display to display thereon a page. When a first processing is currently performed on the page, the page includes: a first part, on which the first processing has not yet been performed; and a second part, on which the first processing has already been performed. When a second processing is currently performed on the page, the page includes: a third part, on which the second processing has not yet been performed; and a fourth part, on which the second processing has already been performed. The display controller controls the display to display the first part and the second part in different display modes. The display controller controls the display to display the third part and the fourth part in different display modes.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/689,236, filed on Mar. 21, 2007, which claimspriority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2006-084257, filed on Mar.24, 2006, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference inits entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Aspects of the present invention relate to an image processing apparatushaving a display.

BACKGROUND

JP-A-2004-282382 discloses a network terminal device that displays imagedata in real time. This network terminal device writes a certain amountof compressed data into a preview buffer by decoding the data every timewhen receiving the certain amount of compressed data. The network deviceis capable of displaying the received data in real time in parallel withreceiving the data.

In operations of various functions such as copying, sending facsimileand receiving facsimile, two types of processing are carried outconcurrently with an operation of one function. For example, imagereading processing+image recording processing are carried out for anoperation of the function of copying. Image reading processing+imagetransmission processing are carried out for the operation of thefunction of transmitting a facsimile. Image receiving processing+imagerecording processing are carried out for the operation of the functionof receiving a facsimile. Among two types of processing for an operationof one function, a status of only one processing is displayed accordingto the method for displaying in real time according to the displaytechnique as disclosed in JP-A-2004-282382.

SUMMARY

An aspect of the present invention provides an image processingapparatus including a display and a display controller that controls thedisplay to display thereon a page. When a first processing is currentlyperformed on the page, the page includes: a first part, on which thefirst processing has not yet been performed; and a second part, on whichthe first processing has already been performed. When a secondprocessing is currently performed on the page, the page includes: athird part, on which the second processing has not yet been performed;and a fourth part, on which the second processing has already beenperformed. The display controller controls the display to display thefirst part and the second part in different display modes. The displaycontroller controls the display to display the third part and the fourthpart in different display modes.

Another aspect of the present invention provides an image processingapparatus includes a display and a display controller that controls thedisplay to display thereon a first page, on which a first processing iscurrently performed, and a second page, on which a second processing iscurrently performed. The first page includes a first part of the firstpage, on which the first processing has not yet been performed and asecond part of the first page, on which the first processing has alreadybeen performed. The second page includes a third part of the secondpage, on which the second processing has not yet been performed and afourth part of the second page, on which the second processing hasalready been performed. The display controller controls the display todisplay the first part of the first page and the second part of thefirst page in different display modes. The display controller controlsthe display to display the third part of the second page and the fourthpart of the second page in different display modes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an image processing apparatus according to afirst aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the image processing apparatus while anoriginal pressing plate is opened;

FIG. 3A is a front view of the image processing apparatus;

FIG. 3B is a brief sectional view of the image processing apparatus;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a display;

FIG. 5 is a view of an example of the image processing apparatusincluding the display arranged on the side of a scanner unit;

FIG. 6 is a circuit block diagram of the image processing apparatus;

FIG. 7 is a view of a relationship of inter-processing communicationsfor each processing;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the display control processing by a displaycontrol program;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of output content real-time display processing forfacsimile transmission processing;

FIG. 10 is a generalized flowchart of output content real-time displayprocessing;

FIG. 11 is a view showing the first half of a transition example ofinput/output real-time display on a display;

FIG. 12 is a view showing the last half of the transition example ofinput/output real-time display on the display; and

FIGS. 13A and 13B are views showing examples of a page displayed on thedisplay.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, a description will be given of aspects of the presentinvention by referring to the drawings.

First Aspect

Here, a description will be given of an aspect of the image processingapparatus including functions to copy, fax, print, scan and input/outputa portable medium by referring to the drawings.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, an image processing apparatus 1 is formedapproximately in a square shape when viewed from above, and includes anoperation panel 9 at the front face side on the upper face thereof. Ascanner unit (image reading unit) 3 and an original pressing plate 8 areprovided on the upper face of the image processing apparatus 1.

The operation panel 9 includes a display 2 and operation keys 4 such asa copy operation key 5, a facsimile operation key 6, a scanner operationkey 7 and numeric keys 10.

The display 2 is arranged approximately at the center of the operationpanel 9 in the width direction. The display 2 displays an image data ofa medium (original) read by the scanner unit 3 and information whenusing functions to copy, fax, print and scan. The vertical width of thedisplay 2 is set to be approximately equal to a length obtained bysubtracting the vertical width of a read-surface protecting member 3 aof the scanner unit 3 from the vertical width of a main body of theimage processing apparatus 1. In other words, the display 2 isrelatively large. Therefore the display displays individual image datain a large scale. The display 2 is formed in a horizontally-longrectangular shape and able to display a plurality of vertically-longimage data (at least three) in parallel.

For example, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the display 2 is formedintegrally by connecting in a horizontal direction two unit panels 19 aand 19 b having a ratio of the vertical width to the horizontal width of3 to 4 (or 9 to 16). Further, an integrally formed protective basematerial 20 is provided on the surface of these two unit panels 19 a and19 b. This configuration makes any boundary line between the unit panels19 a and 19 b invisible so that users can clearly view the display 2.Each of the unit panels 19 a and 19 b includes a liquid crystal display(LCD).

In FIG. 4, a description is given by using horizontally-long display 2.However, as illustrated in FIG. 5, a vertically-long display 2 may beused, which is similar in configuration.

The scanner unit 3 is a known scanner and formed in a size capable ofreading, for example, an A4-size original but is not limited to such.The scanner unit 3 is formed in a rectangular shape when viewed fromabove and arranged so that the longer side is along the horizontaldirection of the image processing apparatus. As illustrated in FIG. 2,the scanner unit 3 includes the read-surface protecting member 3 a madeof glass, etc., an image sensor 3 b such as a contact image sensor, ashaft 3 c, a driving belt 3 d and others. A motor (not illustrated)drives the driving belt 3 d, by which the image sensor 3 b is moved in adirection of an arrow A shown in FIG. 2, and image data of an originalplaced on the read-surface protecting member 3 a is read. The read imagedata is displayed in a color image on the display 2 and printed on asheet 12 by using the operation keys 4.

The sheet 12, for example, A4-size sheet, is stacked and accommodated ina sheet tray 11. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the sheet tray 11 is providedso as to be taken in and out with respect to the image processingapparatus 1 from the front face thereof. As described above, the sheet12 is placed in a vertical direction with respect to the main body ofthe apparatus, and the scanner unit 3 is placed in a horizontaldirection. Thus, the image processing apparatus 1 is formedapproximately in a square shape as a whole, when viewed from above.

As illustrated in FIG. 3B, an image forming unit 13 is disposed belowthe scanner unit 3. The sheet tray 11 is disposed further below theimage forming unit 13. When an image is printed on a sheet 12 inresponse to operation of the operation keys 4, an uppermost sheet of thesheet 12 placed in the sheet tray 11 is taken out and conveyed while thesheet 12 is U-turned in the longitudinal direction of the sheet 12, onwhich the image is printed by a print drum 13 b. Further, a sheetdischarge port 13 a is formed at the front face of the image processingapparatus 1 and the printed sheet 12 is discharged from the sheetdischarge port 13 a to the front face of the apparatus main body.Thereby, the sheet 12 is discharged toward a user who is using the imageprocessing apparatus 1 and the user can easily pick up the sheet 12.

Next, a description will be given of a circuit block diagram of theimage processing apparatus 1 by referring to FIG. 6. The imageprocessing apparatus 1 includes: a Central Processing Unit (CPU) 27; aRandom Access Memory (RAM) 28; a Read Only Memory (ROM) 29 that storesvarious programs; a bus line 26 that is coupled therewith; anInput/Output (I/O) 25 coupled to the bus line 26; a storage device 24coupled to the bus line 26 (which is, for example, a non-volatile memorysuch as an Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM)or a hard disk, or, alternatively, which is a portable medium such as aflush memory); and a communication interface 23 (indicated as I/F inFIG. 6) that is coupled to a communication network 100 to send andreceive data with a personal computer 30. Either a wire communicationinterface or a wireless communication interface may be used as thecommunication interface 23. The I/O 25 is connected with the display 2,the scanner unit 3, the operation keys 4 and the image forming unit 13,as described above, as well as a facsimile transmitting/receiving unit22. The facsimile transmitting/receiving unit 22 is connected to apublic line.

The ROM 29 stores programs such as a display control program 29 a and acontrol program 29 b. The display control program 29 a is a program fordisplaying a plurality of image data for a plurality of pages inparallel on the display 2. The control program 29 b is a program foroperating the image forming unit 13, the scanner unit 3 and thefacsimile transmitting/receiving unit 22 in response to the operation ofthe operation keys 4.

FIG. 7 shows a relationship of inter-processing communications between adisplay control processing cp by the display control program 29 a; amonitor processing mp; an image input processing ip including a copyinput processing ip1, facsimile receiving processing ip2, a print inputprocessing ip3, a scanner input processing ip4 and a portable-mediuminput processing ip5; an image output processing op including a copyoutput processing op1, a facsimile transmission processing op2, a printoutput processing op3, a scanner output processing op4 and aportable-medium output processing op5; an input content real-timedisplay processing idp; and an output content real-time displayprocessing odp. The display control processing cp and the image inputprocessing ip communicates with each other via the monitor processingmp. The display control processing cp and the image output processing opcommunicates with each other via the monitor processing mp. The displaycontrol processing cp and the input content real-time display processingidp communicate with each other directly. The display control processingcp and the output content real-time display processing odp communicatewith each other directly.

FIG. 8 shows a flowchart of the display control processing cp by thedisplay control program 29 a.

FIG. 9 shows a flowchart of the output content real-time displayprocessing odp for the facsimile transmission processing op2. The outputcontent real-time display processing odp for the facsimile transmissionprocessing op2 performs display update in response to receiving anotification of progress from the facsimile transmission processing op2or monitoring a counter of the facsimile transmission processing op2.

The input content real-time display processing idp for the scanner inputprocessing ip4 includes substantially only displaying data which issaved in a RAM 28 by the scanner input processing ip4 as it is on thedisplay 2. Therefore, a flowchart regarding the processing is notillustrated here.

FIG. 10 shows a generalized flowchart of the output content real-timedisplay processing odp for various output processing. In general, theoutput content real-time display processing odp performs display updatein response to receiving a notification of progress from the imageoutput processing op or monitoring a counter of the image outputprocessing op. Output content real-time display processing odp differsfor every image output processing op, with the above point keptunchanged.

In general, the input content real-time display processing idp includessubstantially only displaying data which is saved in the RAM 28 by theimage input processing ip as it is on the display 2. Therefore, aflowchart regarding the process is not illustrated here.

FIG. 11 illustrates the first half of a transition example of aninput/output real-time display on the display 2 of the image processingapparatus 1 according to the first aspect. In the transition example,three display areas, specifically, an input content display area atwhich the content of a page to be transmitted by facsimile is displayed,an outputting content display area at which the content of a page nowbeing transmitted by facsimile is displayed and an output contentdisplay area at which the content of a page already transmitted byfacsimile is displayed are arranged in this order in the display 2 fromthe right side.

FIG. 12 illustrates the last half of the transition example of a displayon the display 2 of the image processing apparatus 1 according to thefirst aspect.

Next, a description will be given of operations of the thus configuredimage processing apparatus 1 according to the first aspect by referringto FIG. 1 to FIG. 12.

Hereinafter, a description will be given by exemplifying an operation ofthe facsimile transmission function, specifically, in a case where theimage input processing ip is scanner input processing ip4 and the imageoutput processing op is facsimile transmission processing opt.

When the operation keys 4 are operated to instruct facsimiletransmission, the display control processing cp changes the screen ofthe display 2 from stand-by display to input/output processing display(S101 in FIG. 8).

Next, the display control processing cp determines whether image inputis started (S102 in FIG. 8). In this instance, the display controlprocessing cp determines to be YES when scanner input processing ip4(original reading) is started at the scanner unit 3. In other words,upon receipt of a notification of starting the image input from thescanner input processing ip4, the display control processing cpdetermines that the scanner input processing ip4 has been started.Further, monitor processing mp monitors whether the scanner inputprocessing ip4 is activated. Therefore, when information is obtainedfrom the monitor processing mp that the scanner input processing ip4 hasbeen activated or an activation flag set when the scanner inputprocessing ip4 is activated is confirmed, it may be determined that theimage input has been started.

The scanner input processing ip4 is started when operation keys 4 aredepressed by a user. The scanner input processing ip4 reads an originalby using an image sensor 3 b of the scanner unit 3 and saves the readimage data in the RAM 28 in real time. Upon start of the scanner input,the scanner input processing ip4 first obtains a value of the horizontalwidth of the original. The value of the horizontal width of the originalis determined either by measuring the size of the original by the imagesensor 3 b or by being specified the size of the original by the user.

Then, the scanner input processing ip4 obtains the number of colors andvalues of resolution of image data to be generated by reading theoriginal. The number of colors and the value of resolution of thegenerated image data depend on the image output processing op.Alternatively, they are limited in selection range and selected from therange by the user. Finally, the scanner input processing ip4 notifiesthe display control processing cp of starting image input. Further,every time the scanner input of the original for one page is terminated,the scanner input processing ip4 turns an “input termination flag” toON. Further, every time the scanner input of a new page is started, thescanner input processing ip4 turns the “input termination flag” to OFF.

Upon receipt of a notification of starting the image input, the displaycontrol processing cp determines to be YES in “image input is started”(S102 in FIG. 8). A flag may be turned to ON instead of thenotification. When it is determined that the image input has beenstarted (S102: YES in FIG. 8), the display control processing cpdisplays image data on the first page at the input content display areaof a display 2 and displays the image data in real time (S103 in FIG.8). More specifically, the display control processing cp activates inputcontent real-time display processing idp for the scanner inputprocessing ip4 which displays the image data obtained from an originalby the scanner input processing ip4 on the display 2 in real time.

The input content real-time display processing idp for the scanner inputprocessing ip4, when activated, first obtains information about whetherthe image input processing ip is used to display image data to be savedin the RAM 28 in real-time. Monitor processing mp monitors which imageinput processing ip has been activated. Therefore, the information maybe obtained from the monitor processing mp, or obtained by confirming anactivation flag set when the scanner input processing ip4 is activated.The display control processing cp may have in advance obtainedprocessing parameter information and the input content real-time displayprocessing idp may obtain the processing parameter information. Theinput content real-time display processing idp obtains processingparameter information such as the horizontal width, number of colors andresolution of an original which is subjected to the scanner inputprocessing ip4 to be displayed in real time. The display controlprocessing cp may have in advance obtained processing parameterinformation from the scanner input processing ip4, and the input contentreal-time display processing idp may obtain the processing parameterinformation. Alternatively, the input content real-time displayprocessing idp may read out the processing parameter information from amemory (RAM 28 or storage device 24) in which the scanner inputprocessing ip4 stores the processing parameter information, or mayinquire to the scanner input processing ip4.

The input content real-time display processing idp calculates how manybytes of data saved in the RAM 28 correspond to one line of the scannerinput by referring to the processing parameter information. The inputcontent real-time display processing idp also calculates to what extentthe horizontal width the image data is displayed on the display 2 byreferring to the processing parameter information. Further, the inputcontent real-time display processing idp calculates how many lines ofimage data of the scanner input correspond to one line on the display 2by referring to the processing parameter information.

Thereafter, the input content real-time display processing idp monitorsthe number of bytes of the image data saved in the RAM 28 and updatesthe display by every one display unit. The display unit may correspondto one line unit or several line units. One unit may be defined as everyincrease in the number of bytes. In this instance, the number ofincreased bytes is to be calculated and expressed so as to correspond tothe number of portions of one line.

Thereafter, the display control processing cp carries out the scannerinput processing ip4 and sends a notification to the output contentreal-time display processing odp for the scanner input processing ip4 byevery progress of the scanner input processing ip4. A counter mayincrease its count instead of the notification.

Next, the display control processing cp determines to be YES in “imageoutput is started” (S104 in FIG. 8), when facsimile transmissionprocessing op2 is started at a facsimile transmitting/receiving unit 22,etc. A notification of the image output start is obtained from thefacsimile transmission processing op2, by which it is determined thatthe facsimile transmission processing op2 has been started. Further,monitor processing mp monitors which image output processing op isactivated. Therefore, it may be determined that image output has beenstarted by obtaining information from the monitor processing mp that thefacsimile transmission processing op2 has been activated or byconfirming an activation flag set when the facsimile transmissionprocessing op2 is activated.

The facsimile transmission processing op2 starts at the same timing asthe start of the scanner input processing ip4. When the facsimiletransmission processing op2 is activated, the transmission processingop2 first obtains information on which image input processing ip is usedto output image data to be saved in the RAM 28. Monitor processing mpmonitors which image input processing ip has been activated. Therefore,the information may be obtained from the monitor processing mp, or byconfirming an activation flag set when the scanner input processing ip4is activated. Next, the facsimile transmission processing op2 obtainsprocessing parameter information such as the horizontal width, number ofcolors and resolution of an original processed by the scanner inputprocessing ip4 which is inputting image data to be output. The facsimiletransmission processing op2 reads out the processing parameterinformation from a memory (RAM 28 or storage device 24) in which thescanner input processing ip4 stores the processing parameterinformation, or may inquire to the scanner input processing ip4.

The facsimile transmission processing op2 calculates how many bytes ofdata saved in the RAM 28 allows facsimile transmission to start byreferring to the processing parameter information. The facsimiletransmission processing op2 turns “output termination flag” to ON, everytime an original for one page is completely output. The facsimiletransmission processing op2 turns the “output termination flag” to OFFevery time the output of a new page is started. The scanner inputprocessing ip4 monitors image data to be saved in the RAM 28, and whenthe data is sufficiently accumulated to carry out image output start,the facsimile transmission processing op2 sends a notification of theimage output start to the display control processing cp via the monitorprocessing mp. The flag may be turned to ON instead of the notification.

When it is determined that image output has been started (S014: YES inFIG. 8), an “outputting content display area is displayed and theinput/output content is displayed in real time” (S105 in FIG. 8). Thedisplay control processing cp activates output content real-time displayprocessing odp for the facsimile transmission processing op2 whichdisplays image data output by the facsimile transmission processing op2on the display 2 in real time.

The output content real-time display processing odp for the facsimiletransmission processing op2, when activated, first obtains informationabout the resolution from the facsimile transmission processing op2. Thedisplay control processing cp may have obtained in advance theprocessing parameter information from the facsimile transmissionprocessing op2, and the output content real-time display processing odpmay obtain the processing parameter information. Alternatively, theoutput content real-time display processing odp may read out theprocessing parameter information from a memory (RAM 28 or storage device24) in which the facsimile transmission processing op2 stores theprocessing parameter information, or may inquire for the facsimiletransmission processing op2. The output content real-time displayprocessing odp calculates how many lines of image data correspond to oneline on the display 2 by referring to the processing parameterinformation. Next, the output content real-time display processing odpobtains information which is notified by the facsimile transmissionprocessing op2 at the start of facsimile transmission. Then, the outputcontent real-time display processing odp obtains information which isnotified by the facsimile transmission processing op2 every timeone-line facsimile transmission is made. Next, the output contentreal-time display processing odp obtains information which is notifiedby the facsimile transmission processing op2 every time one-pagefacsimile transmission is terminated. It may be monitored whether anoutput termination flag is turned to ON.

Specifically, the output content real-time display processing odp forthe facsimile transmission processing op2 obtains processing parameterinformation (for example, resolution) of the facsimile transmissionprocessing op2 from the facsimile transmission processing op2. And, theoutput content real-time display calculates by referring to theprocessing parameter information, how much progress in the facsimiletransmission processing op2 correspond the display 2 to update thedisplay of one line, that is, how many lines of actual images correspondto one line on display (S201 in FIG. 9). For example, if the facsimiletransmission processing op2 sends a notification by every onepredetermined processing unit, calculation is made for how manynotifications result in updating of the display. Further, if thefacsimile transmission processing op2 does not send any notification butonly has a counter for determining how many bytes of the facsimiletransmission processing op2 are carried out, calculation is made for howmany bytes of the facsimile transmission processing op2 are terminatedto result in updating of the display.

Next, the output content real-time display processing odp for thefacsimile transmission processing op2 determines whether the facsimiletransmission processing op2 has started facsimile transmission (S202 inFIG. 9). If the facsimile transmission processing op2 starts thefacsimile transmission (S202: YES in FIG. 9), the output contentreal-time display processing odp for the facsimile transmissionprocessing op2 resets a line counter (S203 in FIG. 9). Next, the outputcontent real-time display processing odp specifically in the facsimiletransmission processing op2 judges whether one line has been transmittedby facsimile (S204 in FIG. 9). If one line has been transmitted byfacsimile (S204: YES in FIG. 9), the output content real-time displayprocessing odp for the facsimile transmission processing opt adds one inthe line number counter (S205 in FIG. 9) and determines whether a valueof the line counter has reached a value corresponding to one line on thedisplay 2 (S206 in FIG. 9). If the value of the line counter has reachedthe value corresponding to one line on the display 2 (3206: YES in FIG.9), the output content real-time display processing odp for thefacsimile transmission processing op2 allows the display on the display2 to proceed by one line (S207 in FIG. 9) and resets the line numbercounter (S208 in FIG. 9). If the value of the line counter does notreach the value corresponding to one line on the display 2 (S206: NO inFIG. 9), the output content real-time display processing odp for thefacsimile transmission processing op2 skips the steps S207 and S208.Then, the output content real-time display processing odp for thefacsimile transmission processing op2 determines whether the currentlyprocessed page is at termination (S209 in FIG. 9). If the page is not atthe termination (S209: NO in FIG. 9), the processing is returned to thestep S204 to repeat the steps S204 to S209. If the page is at thetermination (S209: YES in FIG. 9), the output content real-time displayprocessing odp for the facsimile transmission processing op2 determineswhether a next page does exist (S210 in FIG. 9). If the next page exists(S210: YES in FIG. 9), the processing is returned to the step S201 torepeat the steps S201 to S210. If no page exists (S210: NO in FIG. 9),the output content real-time display processing odp for the facsimiletransmission processing op2 is terminated.

Subsequently, the display control processing cp carries out thefacsimile transmission processing op2 and sends a notification to theoutput content real-time display processing odp by every progress of thefacsimile transmission processing op2. A counter may increase its countinstead of the notification.

Next, the display control processing cp confirms the input terminationflag, thereby determining whether one page is completely input (S106 inFIG. 8). If one page is not completely input (S106: NO in FIG. 8), thedisplay control processing cp confirms the output termination flag,thereby determining whether one page, is completely output (S111 in FIG.8). If one page is not completely output (S111: NO in FIG. 8), thedisplay control processing cp returns the control to the step S106.

If one page is completely input (S106: YES in FIG. 8), the displaycontrol processing cp determines whether a next page to be input exists(S107 in FIG. 8). If the next page to be input does not exist (S107: NOin FIG. 8), the display control processing cp turns the processing tothe step S111.

If a next page to be input exists (S107: YES in FIG. 8), the displaycontrol processing cp determines whether such next page input is to bedisplayed in the outputting content display area (S108 in FIG. 8). Ifthe next page input is to be displayed in the outputting content displayarea (S108: YES in FIG. 8), the display control processing cp starts toinput images of the next page and displays the input at the inputcontent display area (S109 in FIG. 8) and returns the control to thestep S106. If the next page input is not to be displayed in theoutputting content display area (S108: NO in FIG. 8), the displaycontrol processing cp changes the input content display area to aplural-page display and starts to input the images of the next page atthe bottom page (S109 in FIG. 8) and returns the processing to the stepS106.

On the other hand, when the output termination flag is confirmed, and itis found that one page is completely output (S111: YES in FIG. 8), thedisplay control processing cp shifts a completely output page to theoutput content display area (S112 in FIG. 8) and determines whether anypage does exist at the input content display area (S113 in FIG. 8).

If any page exists at the input content display area (S113: YES in FIG.8), the display control processing cp shifts a page which is inputearliest in the input content display area to the outputting contentdisplay area (S114 in FIG. 8). And, the processing is returned to thestep S106, if no page exists at the input content display area (S113: NOin FIG. 8), the display control processing cp provides the display 2 asa transmission termination screen and is terminated (S115 in FIG. 8).

FIG. 10 illustrates a general flowchart of the output content real-timedisplay processing odp in which the image output processing op is notfor the FAX transmission processing op2.

Specifically, the output content real-time display processing odp firstobtains processing parameter information (resolution in the case offacsimile) of the image output processing op from the image outputprocessing op and calculates by referring to the processing parameterinformation how much progress in the image output processing opcorrespond the display 2 to update the display of one line, that is, howmany lines of actual images correspond to one line on display (S301 inFIG. 10). For example, if the image output processing op sends anotification by every predetermined processing unit, calculation is madefor how many notifications result in updating of the display. Further,if the image output processing op does not send any notification butonly has a counter for determining how many bytes of the image outputprocessing op are carried out, calculation is made for how many bytes ofthe image output processing op are terminated to result in updating ofthe display.

Then, the output content real-time display processing odp monitors theprogress of the image output processing op (S302 in FIG. 10). In otherwords, the output content real-time display processing odp obtainsinformation about the progress of the image output processing op. Then,the output content real-time display processing odp determines whetherto update the display (S303 in FIG. 10). In other words, it isdetermined whether the progress has reached one line on the display 2.When it is determined that the display should be updated (S303: YES inFIG. 10), the output content real-time display processing odp allows thedisplay on the display 2 to proceed by one line (S303 in FIG. 10).Finally, the output content real-time display processing odp determineswhether the image output processing op is terminated (S305 in FIG. 10).If the image output processing op is not terminated (S305: NO in FIG.10), the processing is returned to the step S301 to repeat the stepsS301 to S305. If the image output processing op is terminated (S305: YESin FIG. 10), the output content real-time display processing odp isterminated.

Next, a description will be given of a transition example of the displayon the display 2 of the image processing apparatus 1 according to thefirst aspect by referring to FIGS. 11 and 12.

At the start of scanner input, as illustrated in (a) of FIG. 11, theread image data is displayed in real time. Specifically, a page frame isdisplayed at the input content display area, and the read image data tobe transmitted by facsimile (left-oblique line part) is displayed in thepage frame. According to this configuration, with respect to a page onwhich image input processing is currently performed, a part of the page,on which image input processing has already been performed and a part ofthe page on which the image input processing has not yet been performedare displayed in different display modes. Herein, the display mode isdefined by background color, brightness of the displayed page and so on.For example, the background color of the part, on which image inputprocessing has already been performed is white, and the background colorof the part, on which image input processing has not yet been performedis gray. However, the display mode is not limited to them, unless theuser can recognize each part of the page by a difference between thedisplay modes. It may be possible to easily understand how far the imageinput processing of the page has progressed.

At the start of a facsimile transmission, as illustrated in (b) of FIG.11, image data which has been transmitted by facsimile (right-obliqueline part) is displayed, while a part corresponding to the read imagedata (left-oblique line part) extends in real time. Specifically, a pageframe is shifted from the input content display area to the outputtingcontent display area, and image data which has been read and transmittedby facsimile (right-oblique line part) and image data which has beenread but not yet transmitted by facsimile (left-oblique line part) aredisplayed so as to be in contact with each other at the boundary.According to this configuration, with respect to a page on which imageoutput processing is currently performed, a part of the page, on whichimage output processing has already been performed and a part of thepage, on which image output processing has not yet been performed aredisplayed in different display modes. In addition, with respect to apage on which image input processing is currently performed, a part ofthe page, on which image input processing has already been performed anda part of the page on which the image input processing has not yet beenperformed are displayed in different display modes. It may be possibleto easily understand how far the image output processing and the imageinput processing have progressed as a whole process of the imageprocessing.

When scanner input has reached a next page, as illustrated in (c) ofFIG. 11, the read image data (left-oblique line part) is furtherdisplayed. Specifically, a new page frame is added to the input contentdisplay area and image data to be transmitted by facsimile (left-obliqueline part) is displayed in the page frame. According to theconfiguration, a page on which the image output processing is currentlyperformed and a page on which the image input processing is currentlyperformed are displayed at the same time. It may be possible to easilyunderstand how far the image input/output processing has progressed as awhole process of the image processing.

When facsimile transmission of a page is completed, as illustrated in(d) of FIG. 11, a page frame for the page completely transmitted byfacsimile (right-oblique line party is shifted to the output contentdisplay area, and a page on which the facsimile transmission hasfinished being performed just before the page on which the facsimiletransmission is currently performed is displayed at the output contentdisplay area. In addition, a page which is to be transmitted next byfacsimile is displayed at the input content display area. According tothe configuration, a page on which the image output processing iscurrently performed and a page on which the image output processing hasfinished being performed are displayed at the same time. It may bepossible to easily understand how far the image output processing hasprogressed as a whole process of the image processing. Further, the pageon which the image output processing is currently performed and the pageon which the image output processing has finished being performed aredisplayed at different positions on the display. It may be possible tocompare the page on which the image output processing is currentlyperformed with the page on which the image output processing hasfinished being performed and also to distinguish them easily. Further,since the page on which the image output processing is currentlyperformed, the page on which the image output processing has finishedbeing performed and either a page on which the image input processing iscurrently performed or a page on which the image input processing hasalready been performed and the image output processing has not yet beenperformed are displayed at different positions. It may be possible tocompare the page on which the image output processing is currentlyperformed, the page on which the image output processing has alreadybeen performed and either the page on which the image input processingis currently performed or the page on which the image input processinghas already been performed and the image output processing has not yetbeen performed, with one another to distinguish three of them easily.Further, the pages are displayed in the order according to the progressof the image input/output processing. It may possible to easilyunderstand how far a whole process of the image processing hasprogressed.

When scanner input is made at a next page, as illustrated in (e) of FIG.12, a page to be transmitted next to the page being transmitted byfacsimile is displayed at a top and the scanner input is allowed toproceed. And, a plurality of pages on which the image input processinghas already been performed overlaps with one another while being shiftedin relation to one another. According to the configuration, a pluralityof pages on which the image input processing are currently performed oron which the image input processing has already been performed and theimage output processing has not yet been performed are displayedoverlapped one another while being shifted in relation to one another.It may be possible to easily understand how many pages on which theimage input processing is currently performed or the image inputprocessing has already been performed and on which the image outputprocessing has not been performed exist. Further, the page on which theimage output processing is currently performed is compared with a pagewhich is next subjected to image output processing. It may be possibleto easily find out a skipped page which is not subjected to image inputprocessing.

When facsimile transmission is made at a next page, as illustrated in(f) of FIG. 12, a page completely transmitted by facsimile is displayedon top of the output content display area, and a next page is displayedat the outputting content display area. In this instance, a page otherthan the page on top of the output content display area is also at adisplay mode for a page that is completely transmitted by facsimile.According to this configuration, a page subjected to image outputprocessing just before a page on which the image output processing iscurrently performed is displayed at a top among a plurality of pages onwhich the image output processing has already been performed. It may bepossible to easily understand how many pages completely subjected toimage output processing exist. Further, a page on which the image outputprocessing is currently performed is compared with that subjected toimage output processing just therebefore. It may be possible to easilyfind out a skipped page which is not subjected to image outputprocessing.

When only one page to be transmitted by facsimile remains, asillustrated in (g) of FIG. 12, image input processing is halted and apage on which the image input processing is currently performed does notexist.

When a page to be transmitted by facsimile does not exist, asillustrated in (h) of FIG. 12, a page frame displayed at the inputcontent display area is deleted.

When facsimile transmission is completed, as illustrated in (i) of FIG.12, a page frame displayed at the outputting content display area isdeleted, and consequently, only the content of a page completelytransmitted by facsimile remains at the output content display area.

FIGS. 13A and 13B are views showing examples of a page displayed on thedisplay. The page displayed on the display is not limited to an image(content) of the page as shown in FIG. 13A. The page displayed on thedisplay may include information indicating the page in a document to beprocessed. For example, the page displayed on the display is the numberof the page included in a document to be processed as shown in FIG. 13B.

The operation according to the first aspect is described as an exampleof the operation of the facsimile transmission function, that is, in acase where the image input processing ip is the scanner input processingip4 and the image output processing op is the facsimile transmissionprocessing op2. However, it is a matter of course that the operation ofthe function in the image processing apparatus 1 is not limited only tothe operation of the facsimile transmission function. A description canbe given of the operation of the function provided by a combination ofany one function of image input processing ip with any one function ofimage output processing op. For example, in a case of an operation ofthe copy function, the operation can be described by a combination ofthe scanner input processing ip4 with the print output processing op3.Further, in a case of the operation of the facsimile receiving function,the operation can be described by a combination of the facsimilereceiving processing ip2 with the print output processing op3.

In other words, the image output processing may include a processing ofat least one of a copy output function, a facsimile transmittingfunction, a print output function, a scanner output function and aportable-medium output function. According to the configuration, it maybe possible to easily understand a progress status of the image outputprocessing for the copy output function, facsimile transmissionfunction, print output function, scanner output function andportable-medium output function and also easily find out a skipped pagein the image output processing.

In addition, the image input processing may include a processing of atleast one of a copy input function, a facsimile receiving function, aprint input function, a scanner input function and portable-medium inputfunction. According to the configuration, it may be possible to easilyunderstand a progress status of the image input processing for the copyinput function, facsimile receiving function, print input function,scanner input function and portable-medium input function and alsoeasily find out a skipped page in the image input processing.

According to aspects of the invention, a status of two or more types ofprocessing for the operation of one function may be confirmed bydisplaying a page on which image output processing is currentlyperformed on a display and also displaying a part of the page on whichthe image output processing has already been performed and a part of thepage on which the image output processing has not yet been performed indifferent display modes in real time.

Description has been so far given of aspects of the present invention,which are, however, only examples. The present invention is not limitedthereto and may be modified in various ways on the basis of knowledge ofa person skilled in the art, as long as not departing from the gist ofthe scope of the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An image processing apparatus comprising: adisplay; and a display controller configured to control the display todisplay a screen including a first display area and a second displayarea adjacent to the first display area and display in the first displayarea a processing page on which a processing is currently performed, theprocessing page including: a first part, on which the processing has notyet been performed; and a second part, on which the processing hasalready been performed, wherein the display controller is configured tocontrol the display to display the first part of the processing page andthe second part of the processing page in different display modes,wherein the display controller is configured to control the display tofurther display, simultaneously with the processing page, a plurality ofprocessed pages on which the processing has already been performed inthe second display area such that each time when the processing on theprocessing page on which the processing is currently performed has beencompleted, the completed processing page is displayed on a top of theplurality of processed pages to be overlapped thereon as the pluralityof processed pages are shifted in relation to one another.
 2. The imageprocessing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processingcomprises an image output processing.
 3. The image processing apparatusaccording to claim 2, wherein the image output processing comprises atleast one of a copy output function, a facsimile transmitting function,a print output function, a scanner output function and a portable-mediumoutput function.
 4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1,wherein the display controller is configured to control the display todisplay one of the plurality of processed pages, which is the latestprocessed page of the plurality of processed pages, at a top of thedisplayed plurality of processed pages.
 5. The image processingapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the displayed processing pageincludes the number of the processing page in a document to beprocessed.
 6. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1,wherein the display controller is configured to control the display todisplay the screen to further include a third display area adjacent tothe first display area such that the first display area is providedbetween the second display area and the third display area, and furtherdisplay in the third display area a pre-processing page, on which theprocessing has not yet been performed.
 7. The image processing apparatusaccording to claim 6, wherein the display controller is configured tocontrol the display to display in the third display area a plurality ofpre-processing pages, on which the processing has not yet beenperformed, while being shifted in relation to one another, and whereinwhen the processing on the processing page, on which the processing iscurrently performed, has been completed, the processing starts to beperformed on a top page of the plurality of pre-processing pages, andthe display controller is configured to control the display to displayin the first display area the top page of the plurality ofpre-processing page as the processing page.
 8. The image processingapparatus according to claim 6, wherein each time when the processing onthe processing page, on which the processing is currently performed, hasbeen completed, the processing starts to be performed on thepre-processing page, and the display controller is configured to controlthe display to display the processing page on the top of the processedpages in the second display area and display in the first display areathe pre-processing page, on which the processing starts to be performed.9. A non-transitory storage medium having a program stored thereon andreadable by a processor, the program, when executed by the processor,causing the processor to function as: a display controller configured tocontrol a display to display a screen including a first display area anda second display area adjacent to the first display area and display inthe first display area a processing page on which a processing iscurrently performed, the processing page including: a first part, onwhich the processing has not yet been performed; and a second part, onwhich the processing has already been performed, wherein the displaycontroller is configured to control the display to display the firstpart of the processing page and the second part of the processing pagein different display modes, wherein the display controller is configuredto control the display to further display, simultaneously with theprocessing page, a plurality of processed pages on which the processinghas already been performed in the second display area such that eachtime when the processing on the processing page on which the processingis currently performed has been completed, the completed processing pageis displayed on a top of the plurality of processed pages to beoverlapped thereon as the plurality of processed pages are shifted inrelation to one another.
 10. The non-transitory storage medium accordingto claim 9, wherein the processing comprises an image output processing.11. The non-transitory storage medium according to claim 10, wherein theimage output processing comprises at least one of a copy outputfunction, a facsimile transmitting function, a print output function, ascanner output function and a portable-medium output function.
 12. Thenon-transitory storage medium according to claim 9, wherein the displaycontroller is configured to control the display to display one of theplurality of processed pages, which is the latest processed page of theplurality of processed pages, at a top of the displayed plurality ofprocessed pages.
 13. The non-transitory storage medium according toclaim 9, wherein the displayed processing page includes the number ofthe processing page in a document to be processed.